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Hit by a lack of top-end auction consignments, the global art market declined markedly in 2016, according to the latest art market report.

The Dinky Toys journey began hot on the heels of the success of Meccano’s ‘Modelled Miniatures’ series of railway accessories, launched to accompany its Hornby train sets.

Key findings from the first Art Basel and USB Global Art Market Report.

The Art Basel Report was the first by Dr Clare McAndrew since leaving TEFAF where she had compiled a report since 2008.

Shropshire auctioneer sells ‘cartographic cornerstone’ of Tex-Mex history at surprise £16,500...

Stricter rules around the collection and use of data will have a “significant impact” on the art and antiques business, delegates at an Auction Technology Group (ATG) seminar in London were told last week.

Why, aided by the search engine, ethnographica is assuming greater importance for regional rooms...

The wide-ranging sale at Hansons (17.5% buyer’s premium) at Etwall on February 21 included a 20-lot section of fountain pens which offered a brief overview of this largely affordable area of collecting.

“Very rare, most extant copies behind institutional walls,” said Swann (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) of a first English language version of Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov.

Established dealers are calling for a “shake up” at the venerable TEFAF Maastricht in the wake of its 30th showing last month. Proposals include moving the fair to Amsterdam, making it shorter and including fewer exhibitors.

From different centuries and different cultures – same surprising high results for these two toys offered at Tamlyns’ (18% buyer’s premium) sale at Bridgwater on February 15.

Private works on a European theme yield strong prices in Cambridgeshire sale...

Seen here is one of 13 coloured lithographs by Marc Chagall that make up Tales from the Arabian Nights, a special, deluxe portfolio printed by Albert Carman and published by Pantheon Books in New York in 1948.

A fairly early example of a traditional way of insulting Britain’s enemies up to and including the Second World War, this early 19th century twin-handled chamber pot was rated at £2200 by bidders at Lockdales (18% buyer’s premium) at Ipswich.

This Japanese rice paper drawing was among a number of lots to draw strong bidding at Dreweatts and Bloomsbury’s (24% buyer’s premium) offering of the Jan Krugier collection.

The highest price for a picture sold in the regions this year came when a large painting by Edmund Blair Leighton (1853-1922) drew dramatic bidding at House & Son (17.5% buyer’s premium) in Bournemouth on March 21.

Born in Hull, many of Henry Redmore’s (1820-87) works depict shipping in the Humber estuary, off the Yorkshire coast and in the harbours of Whitby and Scarborough.

Presumably the recipient, one Charles Salter of ‘Edinborough’, was pleased to receive to this 18th century green-glazed creamware presentation teapot in 1791.

Found in a Somerset house clearance, this Chinese jade study of an Asian citrus fruit known as Buddha’s hand generated interest beyond its diminutive 3in (8cm) size at Greenslade Taylor Hunt (19.5% buyer’s premium) at Taunton.

Auctioneers are gearing up to win business and take on staff in the wake of the closure of Christie’s South Kensington later this year.